FNB Ikeys Look to Build on What They Have

FNB Ikeys Look to Build on What They Have

After scoring three tries on their way to securing their first FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International win of the season, the FNB Ikey Tigers are looking to build on what they’ve achieved so far as they face a stern challenge away from home on Monday evening in the form of FNB Shimlas.

As the saying goes, there’s always room for improvement, and despite the result, the FNB Ikey Tigers are looking for ways to build on what they’ve got. “It’s amazing what a win can do. The mood around the camp is very positive, but at the same time we know that our performance wasn’t perfect and that there are things we need to work on and improve,” he said.

The team faces a formidable challenge in FNB Shimlas, who are the in-form team at the moment as they currently sit at the top of the FNB Varsity Cup table and are looking to make it three wins from three games so far this season. This will be an interesting battle between a free-scoring side and a resolute defence.

“Shimlas are two [wins] from two [matches], so they’re full of confidence at the moment. Our defence has proven to be quite well organized, and the stats show that again as we only missed eight percent of our tackles in our last match, so we want to build on that base and drop our error rate. It gets better every week, but it’s not where we want it yet. We want to play with a solid defence, along with an emphasis on our accuracy and being more clinical going forward,” coach Esterhuizen concluded.

Elsewhere, the FNB Ikey Tigers Young Guns are travelling away from home to take on the FNB Maties Young Guns on Monday afternoon. “They’re really excited for the match. We know Maties are always strong and tough, but I’ve told the team that respecting your opposition means appreciating their strengths, and then giving it all you’ve got,” coach Tom Dawson-Squibb said.

The FNB Ikey Tigers have named a largely unchanged side for Monday’s clash:

1 Wayrin Losper, 2 Cuan Hablutzel, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 4 Nama Xaba, 5 Duncan Saffy, 6 Jason Klaasen (C), 7 Luke Stringer, 8 Nyasha Tarusenga, 9 Stefano de Gouveia, 10 Jez Mcintyre, 11 Joel Smith, 12 Rico Lategan, 13 Tristan Mouton, 14 Rayno Mapoe, 15 Lohan Lubbe.

Substitutions:

16 Martin Chandler, 17 William Day, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazebuko, 19 Sanele Malwane, 20 Alva Senderayi 21 Matthew Redman, 22 Rob Anderson, 23 Hilio De Abreu.